Sue Devaney - Rosie in Mamma Mia - Blackpool Opera House

{Q} You have done a lot of theatre and television work over the years, what drew you to the musical MAMMA MIA!?
{A} I'd never done a big ''wham bam" musical before so when my agent put me up for the role of Rosie I didn't think I'd get it. I remember one of my best friends coming with me to all of my 3 auditions. He's an umpa lumpa in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and he's an expert in musical theatre... Joe told me what to wear, what to sing, how to cellotape my sheet music together so it would be easy for the pianist to play, and he got me a session with Nigel Lilley, a great MD who told me not to put too much vibrato into my voice because that's not what the Mamma Mia team are looking for! I'd done rock and roll musical shows before this and the odd song or two in panto! When I was offered the job, I was over the moon. I wanted the challenge of doing something new, singing and dancing 8 shows a week and as it's a World tour... travelling to exotic places like South Korea, Kuala Lumpa, Singapore.....But honestly, what really sold it to me was 3 months in Blackpool in the summer! Seeing my friends and family and playing at The Winter Gardens!!

{Q} Were you a fan of ABBA and their songs?
{A} I remember listening to Abba songs when I was a child. My sister and I would record the 'Top 40' on a little tape recorder and one Sunday we were taping and this amazing song came on.... "Super Trouper".... I loved it! We couldn't get a good recording of it though because Mum was in the background shouting us down for tea! I have to say I wasn't a massive Abba fan though before I started the show. I have a comedy singing act called Double Bubble and we do a kind of medley of a few Abba songs but I always let my friend sing them whilst I do a bit of contemporary movement in the background with a scarf or two! I find a lot of the songs far too high to sing... My comedy partner laughed when I got the job... She said I'd have to learn the words now and stop waving my arms about!!

{Q} Their songs are quite complex to sing, how have you found that?
{A} Now I am in the show I do realise how difficult and technical the songs are to sing... They are very complex and wonderfully written. I enjoy singing them now and we have an amazing musical director who keeps us on track. I still find Dancing Queen way too high though! I can only sing that song when I'm on stage! I did ask in rehearsals if we could bring it down a bit! To the response of "Are you having a laugh?"

{Q} Do you have a favourite ABBA song?
{A} Yes... My favourite Abba song... I have a few... and it keeps changing the more I do the show... I really like "Our Last Summer." I love the words and the meaning of the song. Keiron Crook sings it beautifully in the show. I also like "The Winner Takes it All." Sara Poyzer is fantastic as Donna and the way she sings it makes me cry every night! I also love "Under Attack" "Does your Mother Know" and of course the one my character sings.... "Take a Chance."

{Q} The musical visits Blackpool for a summer run, and the show seems a perfect match for Blackpool. Have you ever visited Blackpool before?
{A} I visited Blackpool for the first time when I was about seven. A friend's dad drove us over from Rochdale to see the Christmas lights. I have been popping over ever since! I have performed at the Grand Theatre in a tour of Dinnerladies and done various charity shows there. I have also seen Ken Dodd on the pier when I was about 10. I love it! There is no other place in the World like Blackpool! Over the years in Blackpool, I have had my palm read, been on a donkey, ate pink rock with my name through the middle and wore a "kiss me Quick" hat! Oh yes... I have lived the dream!! I am looking forward to being there for the summer.

{Q} Before your theatre career started, what was the worst job you ever had?
{A} I am so fortunate, I have never had to do any other jobs other than acting. I did my first television when I was 14. It was an episode of In Loving Memory with Thora Hird and I was in Coronation Street by the time I was 16. When acting jobs have been scarce or times have been really hard I have done stand up and performed in bands or sold my furniture.... sometimes my car depending on how bad it's been... There was a time when it was shockingly bad and I sold my house! If I was asked to do a job other than acting now I don't think I'd have a clue! My friend Jue laughs at me... She was applying for a new job the other week and I was looking over her shoulder whilst she was filling in the application form. It was a 13 page list of gobbledegook to me! I said you need a degree in how to fill in "Job forms" these days! No.... I'll stick to singing a few tunes and entertaining if you don't mind!